Bring those extra pond, marginal and garden plants and trade them for varieties you haven’t acquired yet. A fun way to expand your collection and share your extras with the new ponders. Don’t be concerned you have a new pond and nothing to share, there are always extras to take home.

First take note that Kloubec’s is closer to Swisher than Amana so pay close attention to the directions. They are on an old farm in the country. Gravel road and all. Not as far south as the Amana colonies.

Kloubec’s have an extensive Koi breeding operation and they will be giving us a tour and an opportunity to purchase. Come see the beautiful varieties available locally at this

Our regular Thursday evening meeting was held at the West Village Care Center in Independence. The site had a roomy meeting area and once we learnt how to work the doors (they had loud alarms attached to them) all was great. Joe became our doorman for the evening.

President, Kacy Novak, started the meeting with a greeting to all. She began by introducing our own club member, webmaster, and guest speaker, Josh Spece. Josh, as you may know, along with his Mother and several other family members run a nursery called “In the Country Gardens and Gifts” in rural Independence. Josh’s nursery specializes in Hosta and they carry hundreds of different varieties. Josh spoke to us about hosta care and the different varieties. He had some great slides to show us. Did you know there are over 4000 varieties of registered hosta? They range from 3” across to 5-6 feet across! I started to take notes about his talk and quickly filled 2 pages with helpful hints and variety information. It was too much information to share in these minutes. Perhaps the single most important thing I might have learned was that some hosta can take 4-8 years to mature. (To get the very specialized look they are supposed to have, like lumpy leaves, or certain color combos) Soooo, if you dig them up too often to move or divide, they never reach that maturity or never become the beauty they are supposed to be.) Josh talked about pest control and diseases. He gave us a preview of exciting new varieties to watch for. His talk included a handout of all the different ones that they sell. If you have questions about any hosta you have or are looking for, then he’s the man. In the Country Gardens and Gifts will be hosting their annual spring open house with speakers this year on May 14th. Be sure to check it out.

After Josh’s talk, Kacy went straight to business. Minutes to the last meeting were approved as printed. Treasurer, Nancy Baldwin, finally made it back from the sunny south, to give us a treasure’s report. Recent expenses included, $335.71 for newsletters, $500.00 of tour money went to Independence Master Gardeners and their Lee Mansion landscaping project, and $100.00 went to the Linn County Master gardeners as a memorial for the late Ken Lafferty.

I introduced a new name badge system to the club. Everyone will get new badges once they attend a meeting. I also showed the club pins the AKCA has sent us samples of. If you want to donate money toward their KHV (Koi Herpes Virus) research you will receive one of these very nice pins. AKCA has also announced a reduced subscription fee on their Koi Magazine. It is now $17.00 a year. I am still taking orders for water plants, although when you read this it will be too late to order. I brought in a sample of a water hawthorn bloom. A cold water plant, it is now blooming in my pond. A pretty little white flower that blooms along with marsh marigold early in the spring and again late fall when the water cools again. If you are interested in any of these things, please contact me.

Bonnie Happel, with the program committee, reported most meetings are now spoken for. We still could use a couple more speaker ideas, so if anyone knows of someone that would be willing to talk to us please contact her or Mary Robinson.

We talked about the pond tour, but had no committee members present for a report. The tour will be in the Cedar Rapids area and again on the second Sunday in July. (10th)

For old business, the Indian Creek Nature Center plant sale is May 7th and the club will be putting up a promotional table there. Kacy has volunteered to man the table. If you can help her, please call ASAP.

Kacy then let new members introduced themselves. Welcome Judy and Dave Halfhill from Earlville, and Diane Madoerin from Independence.

Following adjournment, I had brought in a couple badly overgrown water lilies and talked to newer members about dividing them. I did this after the meeting, so the more experienced ponders wouldn’t have to sit through a demo they’ve seen many times.

Saturday, April 23rd meeting...

MMMMMM… these are the very best meetings… food, a great looking pond, time to converse, and did I mention food? Our monthly Saturday meeting was hosted my Monica and Gill Morley and Elena Murillo in their home in Cedar Rapids. A windy, chilly day, but the sun shone brightly allowing us to get out and get a good look at the very beautiful pond and yard. The Morley’s multi level pond was crystal clear and despite the colder water, the many fish were active and looking for lunch, also. Kacy started the meeting by asking the group to go outside for the grand tour.

Returning to the house, we began going over the business at hand. I again explained the new badge system, as there were lots of attending members that were unable to get to the last meeting. Kacy had new members Judy and David Halfhill, Nancy and Fred Koontz, and Pam and Curt Moore introduce themselves. There was not a treasure’s report because of Nancy’s absence.

Old business consists of Kacy asking for volunteer assistance at the May 7th Indian Creek plant sale booth. Linda Nolan and Pam Moore volunteered to help her. Thanks ladies.

Bonnie Happel reported for the program committee. She stated that all meeting dates were full however; we could still use a couple speakers.

Rosie Michaels asked the club to come to some agreement on some technical terms of this year’s pond tour. Location-Cedar Rapids, date – July 10th, time-11:00-5:00, admission-5.00; basically the same as years before. Upon asking for pond locations, we had 5 people present that volunteered to participate already, so we’re off to a great start!

As part of our new business, Roger Thompson demonstrated his DIY mechanical filter and settlement chamber. He used a common square plastic container and designed a series of brushes and pads to filter out his water. It was an interesting concept and if you have any further questions, please contact him. Thanks to Roger for bringing it in to show everyone.

Monica showed us a product she began using along with SAB. It was called Ecoblast. Kind of pricey, but couldn’t argue with the results, as her ponds were crystal clear and the bottom pebbles in her pond were clean and free of all algae and she has never preformed a spring cleanout of any kind.

There was some open discussion about what’s going on in people’s ponds and then Kacy adjourned the business meeting.

Following the meeting, the Morleys and Elena served us up the nicest of buffets. Ham and salads and cookies, oh my! Wonderful and yummy. With food like that, it’s no wonder our meeting attendance has been doubling lately.

Our speaker for the evening was the well known Master Gardener and pond club member, Deb Walser. Her topic was building small fountains for the home or garden. Although she demonstrated the construction of a fountain made of clay pots, she explained how the techniques could be applied to other items like; ceramic bowls, teacups or enamelware. The possibilities are endless. The key points were: the pump—a Mini Jet 404 from Aquarium Systems ($12.49 by mail or online from That Fish Place; a drill bit for drilling through ceramic tile, keep it cool to keep it sharp, they are pricey so take good care of it. Beyond that, use your imagination and create.

WOW we have a full newsletter this month. Jackie offered to send in an extra little article and the only space I had was the little sliver in the next column. Pretty good.

Just a note in memorial. For those who shop in Manchester, Shelley Boll from The Fish Shack passed away April 25, 2005 due to a head injury from a fall. Keep her husband Bill and family in your prayers as they deal with this untimely death. She was 49.

Simply print out and fill in the membership form, mail it to our PO Box in Vinton, Iowa. Dues are $10.00. Make the check payable to EIPS or Eastern Iowa Pond Society. If you do not have time to do it right now, tear out the form and place it in your bill paying pile so it will not be forgotten. We would hate to have your membership expire.

We will be clearing the roll after the mailing of this newsletter. If you have not renewed your membership, this will be the last issue you will be receiving.

One of the most relaxing aspects of having water in the garden is the soothing sound. A full featured water garden with a waterfall or stream is great, if you have the space in your yard. You can get the same relaxing sound of running water with much less work and expense by installing a disappearing fountain. Limited only by your creativity, a disappearing fountain can be small enough to tuck in amongst an already established garden or as elaborate as a “pondless” waterfall that is the centerpiece of your landscape. The concept is simple and we will guide you through the process of designing and installing your own disappearing fountain.

Wildflowers in the Garden - 11 am

At one time, Iowa was a sea of colorful wildflowers and swaying prairie grasses. Though the sight of a natural wildflower planting is now rare, you can easily create your very own wildflower garden. Jim Heinz will cover the history of Iowa’s prairies, teach us some of the past and present uses of wildflowers, and guide us through the process of establishing and caring for your own wildflower and prairie garden.

Registration is not required, but is greatly appreciated! You can register by phone (319-334-6593), e-mail
jspece@sbtek.net.

If you or a fellow member are not receiving your newsletter or not being contacted by e-mail that the current newsletter is available at our website, please contact us. Our names, offices held, phone numbers and e-mail addresses are on the back of each issue. For newsletter errors, contact the editor. Most other issues can be directed through Kacy Novak the president.

We are only volunteers doing the best we can. Please help us by keeping in contact.

Rocks !!!!

If you are in need of some ROCKS, or shall we say stones for your pond, Craig and Karen Batcheler in Center Point has a farmer who has a pile of rocks that needs to be used by a ponder. If you are interested in using them in your home pond or yard, contact Jackie Allsup.

Goldfish !!!

Larry Tharp has some large goldfish that need new homes. Call Larry for details. 319-396-3293 Larry still has some plant fertilizer tabs if you are interested. Again, give Larry a call for details.

Outings !!!! Shopping !!!

Just a reminder. And sorry I don’t have all the detail but the Chicago club’s spring trade show is on May 13-14th. It is at he DeKalb County Fair Grounds. Jackie is hoping to go and more details can be retrieved from her.

Pond Plants !!!

If you need plants to go with the rocks and goldfish, don’t forget the plant swap at our next meeting. We will we wheeling and dealing but we will also be just giving some away, so y’all come.

Upcoming Meetings !!!

Roger Thurm wants to encourage you to plan on attending the EIPS meeting at Klinger, on Thurs. June 9th -7:00 p.m. The place was really unique with it's animals and corn crib gazebo. He will be cooking brats for us, so come right from work. He really thinks highly of the place and doesn’t want anyone to miss out.

Fill Dirt !!!

Ok not really, I just had this space and nothing to FILL it with. I need a little fill dirt here. Or maybe more flowers. Or another Koi.

As in the past, ponds on this tour are predominantly owned and maintained by the hobbyist/homeowners who will be on hand to discuss construction, maintenance and mistakes made. Bring your questions and your cameras. This can be the informative event that may inspire you to add a water element in your yard.

Come smell the flowers, hear the waters, see the fish and enjoy a beautiful day touring a large variety of ponds in the Cedar Rapids area. Koi ponds, goldfish ponds, heavily planted ponds, fountains and waterfalls; water elements of all sizes will all be featured.

Note—this is a tentative schedule. That means don't keep it. Don’t go by it. Just read it now and enjoy what might be happening the rest of the summer. Then remember to read your newsletter each month to know what is really happening.

(Thurs) June 9th -7:00 p.m. Clinger.
Hosts David & Ruth Whittenburg
Speaker on exotic animals
They will be serving brats